Ninja Pig News
Feb. 5th - Feb. 9th
Teacher Talk
Hey Everyone-
I know there are lots of plans and work going on right now as the class becomes student entrepreneurs. We've been covering a lot of topics, vocabulary and situations to help students gain experiences that will help them create a successful business for the Economics Fair.
One prototype is due in for peer review by Wednesday (or sooner). I'll use a feedback form to capture all of the ideas and revisions that the class has for each product.
As always, email me with any questions, comments or concerns.
Class Calendar
Feb. 7th: STAAR Ready (practice test) for Reading!! -Parent Info here
Feb. 8th: Book Fair begins!!
Feb. 9th: Book Fair and PTA Movie Night
Feb. 12th: Valentine Boxes are due!!!!
Feb. 14th: Class Valentine's Party (info here about boxes and menu + names)
Feb. 16th: Six Flags Reading Logs Due today or sooner
Feb. 19th & 20th: No School for Students (Teacher Professional Learning Days)
Feb. 21st-March 2nd APEX Fun Run (I'm excited about this!!)
March 6th: 3rd Grade Economics Fair
March 9th: Field Day
March 12-16th: Spring Break
**Every MONDAY is "MESSY MONDAY" so wear old clothes for gardening or Innovation Station days.
**EVERY WEDNESDAY IS "WEAR GREEN WEDNESDAY!!" Wear any kind of green if your class shirt is dirty (or temporarily lost).
Class Wish List
Concepts We'll Study:
Our Driving Question: How can we, as entrepreneurs, create a business that benefits our community?
This week the entrepreneurs will work on defining supply and demand. We're in the process of reading a TFK article about popular toys and how they have big payoffs and problems too. Main idea, summary work, context clues, and reading skills are embedded in all we do. Writing expectations will still strive for correct grammar skills being used. My hope is try and begin a bit of expository writing work with the class for a writing check-in. We'll see how successful I am with our time!
Science:
We'll finish up our study of weather this week. After our DCA, we'll move into the study of space!! Our first exploration will be of that giant star in the sky called the sun. We'll look at its thermal and light energy. This is always a fun and engaging unit. Stay tuned for more details!
Math:
I had everyone take a pre-assessment for multiplication strategies in story problems. Based on each student's confidence, skill, and efficiency- I have three tiers of problems going on at this time. Students move in and out of these levels depending on the concept being worked that day. The levels are defined as: Guide Me- starts off with teacher check-in to make sure the right start has happened. Let Me Practice- this level is for my student who is more comfortable with the concept and wants to practice using more efficient strategies. Let Me Go!- this level is for my student who has shown mastery of the TEK. There are problems available that hit later in the year skills or are at a 4th grade level. Since students are working on the same skill at different levels, the grades captured for the week will be for third grade level problems only.
While all of this awesomeness is going on, I'm trying to finish up the analysis of the Math STAAR Release practice test. I have a few more students to go then the grades will be posted as a Benchmark for you to see. I will also send home the test and an analysis sheet so you have a clear picture of what your child is doing.
My hope is that your child will be able to clearly talk to you about their goals and celebrations. If I am worried about your child's performance, you will hear from me.
About Mrs. Caldwell
Email: vicki_caldwell@roundrockisd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/mrs-caldwell-s-class-at-sommer/home
Location: 16200 Avery Ranch Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-704-0621
Twitter: @MrsCin3rd